36th Infantry Division Forlì

36th Infantry Division Forlì

36th Infantry Division Forlì Insignia
Active 1939–1943
Country Italy Regno d'Italia
Kingdom of Italy
Branch Regio Esercito
Royal Italian Army
Type Infantry
Size Division
Garrison/HQ Saluzzo
Nickname(s) Forlì
Engagements World War II
Commanders
Notable
commanders		 Giulio Perugi
Insignia
Identification
symbol
Identification
symbol		 Forlì Division collar insignia

The 36th Infantry Division Forlì was a mountain infantry Division of the Italian Army during World War II. The division was formed as infantry division 31 March 1939, from the men mostly taken from the infantry brigade Monferrato. The men that formed this division were drafted in the Langhe, a geographical region in southern Piedmont. The only difference between line infantry divisions and mountain infantry divisions was that the latter's artillery was carried by pack mules instead of the standard horse-drawn carriages. Italy's real mountain warfare divisions were the six alpine divisions manned by the "Alpini" mountain troops.

History

In June 1940, the Forli division was the part of the First Army and took part in the Italian invasion of France.[1][2] 10 June 1940, it was deployed on the French border on defensive positions from Argentera valley and mountaintop positions from Rocca Peroni to it:Monte Maniglia. 22 June 1940, it started to attack toward Meyronnes and road junction of La Condamine-Châtelard, after bypassing French defenders north of mount Tête de Viraysse. It took the forts of Bec du Lièvre and Tête Dure 23 June 1940. As result, the Forli advanced rapidly that day, captured Malboisset and stopped just before the village of Larche, Barcelonnette at the news of Franco-Italian Armistice.

Forli was ordered in Albania, to participate in the Greco-Italian War.[3] By 12 February 1941, it already reached the frontlines in the mountains west of Lake Ohrid, on the Librazhd-Kalivaç-Dunicë line, partly by Shkumbin river banks. 20 February 1941, the Greek army started to storm the Forli position, especially at mount Maja e Kosicës and a Kalivaç in Korçë municipality. The Forli division have started to advance 10 April 1941 as part of German-led Battle of Greece. The division attacked from Vloçisht to Gurisht. By 14 April 1941, it advanced to Leminot. Afterward, the Greek army began to retreat due to the German advance in the east, and Forli division reached Ersekë on 17 April 1941, stopping at the banks of Aoös river.

After the Greek surrender the division was ordered to Larissa. The Forli was assigned occupation and coastal defence duties at Larissa, Volos and Lamia, starting from August 1942. In 1943, the Forli division has relocated further to south, covering Lamia - Amfikleia - Livadeia - Thebes area. Also, the Forli was responsible for the control of Euripus Strait, the island of Euboea and, symbolically, Syntagma Square of Athens where the Italian headquarters in Greece were located.

The Forli Division has surrendered to the German forces in Greece after the Armistice of Cassibile and consequently dissolved 16 September 1943.[3]

Order of battle

[nb 1]

Notes

Footnotes
  1. ↑ An Italian Infantry Division consisted of two Infantry Regiments (three Battalions each), an Artillery Regiment, a Mortar Battalion (two companies), an Anti Tank Company, a Blackshirt Legion (Regiment of two Battalions). Each Division had only about 7,000 men, The Infantry and Artillery Regiments contained 1,650 men, the Blackshirt Legion 1,200, each company 150 men.[4]
Citations
  1. ↑ Mulholland, John. "Axis Order of Battle 10 June 1940 - The Italian Invasion of France". Axis History. Retrieved 2009-04-12.
  2. ↑ http://www.regioesercito.it/reparti/fanteria/rediv36.htm
  3. 1 2 3 Wendal, Marcus. "Italian Army". Axis History. Retrieved 2009-04-12.
  4. ↑ Paoletti, p 170

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